South African Ministers to Visit Charlotte Maxeke Hospital After Public Protector Report

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will visit Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Tuesday to address ongoing repair delays and funding shortfalls. The visit follows a Public Protector report that examined the hospital's recovery from a 2021 fire. The report found that only half of the R666-million allocated for initial repairs was spent.

7-billion over the next five years to complete repairs. The Public Protector's findings have been referred to the Auditor General for further investigation. The two ministers are scheduled to meet Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and provincial health and infrastructure officials.

Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the meeting aims to identify solutions and reduce further delays. "The two ministers will meet numerous stakeholders," said Mohale.

Head of internal medicine Adam Mohamed said corruption and poor leadership continue to affect operations. Mohamed, who became a whistleblower in 2022, noted that many senior posts remain vacant and large sections of the hospital are still not functioning. Mohamed said he plans to leave public healthcare because of the ongoing dysfunction.